The City of Delaware is receiving a bronze designation from the national SolSmart program for making it easier for homes and businesses to go solar. This designation recognizes the City of Delaware for taking steps to encourage solar energy growth and remove obstacles to solar development.
SolSmart is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and the International City/County Management Association and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. More than 400 cities, counties, and small towns have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016.
“We are proud to be recognized as a national leader in advancing solar energy,” City Manager Tom Homan said. “We want to help more local homes and businesses to obtain affordable, clean and reliable electricity through solar, as well as drive economic development and create local jobs.”
To receive designation, cities and counties make changes to their local processes to reduce the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system. The Delaware effort was led by Erin Wolfe, Watershed & Sustainability Coordinator. Staff undertook a complete evaluation of its local permitting processes, as well as planning and zoning procedures. In addition, the City created a section on its website devoted to solar energy permitting for both residential and commercial use.
SolSmart uses objective criteria to award communities points based on the actions they take to reduce barriers to solar energy development. Communities that take sufficient action are designated either gold, silver, or bronze.
All municipalities, counties, and regional organizations are eligible to join the SolSmart program and receive this technical assistance. Learn more at SolSmart.org
